A Tale of Two Lenores Read online

  “Damnation” he sputtered aloud, getting upright, and brushing the dirt and bits of the dried leaves off his pants. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe the dirt from his face. “If Bill Travers hears about this, I will never hear the end of it.”

  Glancing down to examine the cause of his downfall, James gave a start and took several steps backward, missing the goal of transferring his handkerchief to its pocket net. Why, this is a fresh grave. What in the world? He stooped down to get a closer look and smelled a slight odor familiar to him. James straightened, snapped pictures of the grave and of landmarks, sent them to Lenore along with a text. I have stumbled on a grave, Lenore. This could get interesting. James heard a stealthy sound approaching. He quickly resent the text and pictures to Lenore before slipping the phone in its case. Choosing a more direct route to the house, James advanced rapidly wanting nothing more than to reach his car before calling 911. He would feel more secure sitting in a locked car. The trees became fewer and the house and yard loomed ahead beyond the now sparse tree growth. Just shy of the tree line, a shadow loomed ahead. The shadow held a shotgun, pointed straight at James’ head.

  “You are trespassing,” the shadow spoke stepping forward, his gun never wavering. The man stepped out of the protective cover of the tree line and looked at James.

  “Who are you?”

  “I am Dr. James Collins, an anthropologist,” James explained. “I do have the owner’s permission to be here.”

  “What do you want?”

  “I am writing a book about folktales and legends. The story of Lenore Wilkes is an important part of Hylton’s history, and I want to include the story in my book,” he explained to the man. “I came here today to get a sense of the place, especially the bluff. Seeing the sites where a story begins helps with my writing.”

  The look in the stranger’s cold eyes said it did not believe him. The appeared to be his late twenties. His brown hair, in much need of a haircut, was clean. He wore jeans, sneakers, and a black tee shirt with the sleeves cut out.

  James decided to take a chance. “Are you from around here, sir?”

  No answer.

  “If I realized the place had new occupants, I most definitely would not have imposed.”

  Still, the man just stared.

  “Sorry to disturb you, Mr. ….” James’ said, trying to coax a name from the person in front of him. The only response, a stare.

  “Well, I will be leaving now, sir,” James took a tentative step forward, expecting the man to stop him. Relief flooded James when the man allowed him to pass.

  The stranger did allow James to by him, barely. “You are not going anywhere, mister.”

  The barrel of the shotgun crashed into James Collins skull, crumpling the professor to the ground. James felt the man rifling through the pockets of his jeans, then a shout in the distance followed by a shot close by. He lay there stunned as gentle arms helped him to his feet, but his legs were unsteady. His rescuer, speaking soothing words laced with anxiety spoke, a familiar voice James could not place at first.

  “Mr. Jim, I need to hide you before the man comes back.”

  “Charlie B?”

  “We will hide in the house.”

  “Sure, Charlie,” James was more lucid, his vision clearing. “I have a key in my jacket pocket.”

  “Can you walk, Mr. Jim?” Charlie asked.

  “You will have to help me, Charlie, but I think I can make it.” And he did try, but the closer they came to their destination the harder it became. James was vaguely aware of someone carrying him before he slipped into oblivion.

  Chapter 2

  Shane Travers did not usually attend weddings but when the groom is the lead detective with Hylton Police department and the bride is a forensic psychologist consulting with HPD you just really need to attend. Especially if the groom has been your mentor since your promotion to detective last fall. Shane’s childhood dream was to one day be a detective with HPD, and last November he achieved that goal. Detective Stan West, Seth Brody’s partner on the detective squad, resigned his job to move to Colorado. Shane’s arduous work and determination finally paid off, he received his longed-for promotion. Good thing the promotion came when it did, as the new mayor of Hylton slashed funding to HPD. Andrews wants a more streamlined and efficient HPD. Everyone hoped the mayor’s vision was not at the expense of community safety.

  Shane’s date is babbling about the beautiful bride; he tried to tune her out.

  “Her dress is elegant simplicity. The ivory satin sets off her auburn hair and those strange colored eyes. Isn’t she lovely? Shane, look at the way she smiles up at her new husband, he is so handsome.”

  Shane thought Bethany Allan was going to swoon and increased his efforts to block out her running commentary. Her next rant threw him for a loop, though, and he focused his attention on her.

  “To think Shane, they were once high school sweethearts like us who went their separate ways only to reunite years later,” Bethany’s looked up at Shane leaving now doubt as to what was on his old high school sweetheart’s mind. He could see that train of thought gathering of steam. Oh no, you don’t Bethany. That train is not leaving the depot.

  Shane was going to derail that train, pronto. “I am afraid, Bethany, you have the story wrong, very wrong. Paige Nelson and Seth Brody have been best friends forever, but not high school sweethearts. Shane did marry his high school sweetheart, though, and divorced her four years later. The woman was a notorious cheater when he was in the service and an even worse adulteress after their marriage.”

  “Well, I have heard several stories of sweethearts reuniting later in life and marrying,” Bethany smiled. “Our story will have a happy ending, Shane, I just know it.”

  “Bethany, it is too soon to say if our relationship is heading in the marriage direction.” Shane reiterated he had pointed this out two months ago. He had run into Bethany, recently divorced, at Bernie’s one night, and the two shared a table, talking about all times. One thing led to another, and well, they spent the night together. The next morning, Shane regretted his actions, and told Bethany so. She made it clear to him the night was fun but meant nothing to her. It was Bethany that suggested their current relationship, casual dating, and occasional sex, and if things became serious, they would talk more then. Now, the woman wants to turn fun into a romantic fairy tale.

  Nope, weddings were not his thing, but Shane would not have missed this one for anything. The newly wedded couple, best friends since elementary school, had each experienced disastrous first marriages. Their friendship eventually blossomed in to love leading to this first dance as man and wife. Shane was not a hopeless romantic but watching the happy couple swirling around the dance floor dancing to a Toby Keith song, he remembered a high school dance years ago and a girl he danced with. Toby Keith’s words echoed Shane’s feelings when he first realized that his bratty neighbor, his friend, and enemy as children had grown up to be an attractive young woman. Her freckles, once the brunt of his teasing, were suddenly the sexiest things in the world. Her chestnut hair against the white of his tuxedo and her whiskey brown eyes laughed up at him. She was, of course, taunting Shane’s steady girl with her flirtatious antics. Toby’s voice subsided, and the dance ended, just as that dance had years ago ending that one truce declared as the king and queen of the senior prom hit the floor for their token dance. Shane and Lenore, the king and queen of the senior prom, were not even dating. Indeed, back then if someone had suggested such a thing, both would have guffawed so long and so loud, the chaperones would have thrown them out.

  As if thoughts of the past reached into the present, Shane’s phone vibrated alerting him to an incoming call. Speak of the devil, if it is not Leni Collins herself. The two old friends communicated mostly by texting. Collins liked to send messages in emojis and acronyms and make Shane, not a big emojis fan, interpret them, usually with hilarious results. Phone calls usually meant something was wrong.

  Shane
excused himself from his date to answer the call. “Hey Collins,” he greeted her. “Hell must have frozen over up north if you are calling me.” Shane laughed. His laughter fades abruptly with the caller’s words.

  “Shane, I need your help.” Lenore’s anxious voice greeted.

  No beating around the bush with this woman that was for sure, Shane thought. The anxious tremor in her voice and the use of his first name were all the proof Shane needed to realize Leni Collins is in trouble.

  “What’s up Leni?”

  “Shane, I think something has happened to Dad.” She went on to explain how the Professor spent the day out at Twin Maples in mental preparation to write for his book. “The last picture he sent me was of a fresh grave with the message I think I have stumbled upon a grave, Lenore. This could get interesting. I tried calling him, but he is not answering his phone. I know something is wrong.”

  “Have you spoken with my dad? Might be they are together or, Dad at least knows where the Professor is,” Shane suggested.

  “I have talked to Mr. Bill and he has not seen or spoke with Dad since last night. He went over to the house to check, but Dad is not there. Dad knew I would be calling him tonight at eight to talk about his day. He never misses my scheduled calls, Shane.”

  “You said he went to Twin Maples?”

  “Yes. Dad received permission from the land owner and picked the keys to the gate and house up at River Reality yesterday.” Leni’s voice conveyed anxiety and fear, two traits Shane rarely saw in the woman.

  “Ok, Collins,” Shane had reverted to their usual form of addressing each other to calm Leni down. “I will run out to Twin Maples and look around. Your dad might have had car trouble or found some old fart to swipe tales with. I will call you back when I know something. Sit tight.”

  “No, I will not sit tight,” Lenore’s protested. “I am packing as we speak; my flight leaves in three hours. This is not like Dad and I am really worried.”

  “It would do me no good to try and change your mind. Text me your flight arrangements and Dad or I will meet you.”

  “Thanks, Travers. I owe you one.”

  “Yep, Collins you do, and I have every intention of collecting on this debt,” Shane laughed before becoming serious again. “Professor Collins loses track of time when he is on a mission. His cell phone might have lost charge, and he is still out at the old place but just can’t let you know. He will turn up Leni, don’t worry.”

  “Try telling the world not to turn,” she replied. “Be careful with yourself, Shane.”

  Shane noted the time as he ended the call. Eight PM. The earliest Leni could arrive at SDF airport would be after one o’clock in the morning, that is assuming she booked a direct flight leaving and she met no delays. Surely, in five hours he will have found the Professor and be able to meet Leni at the airport himself. His phone pinged signally a text message. Leni sent her last text from her father to Shane. “Damn,” Shane muttered aloud.

  “What was that all about, Shane?”

  “Sorry, Bethany. I will need to get you home,” Seth explained. “Professor Collins has run into some trouble and needs my help.”

  “That was Lenore you were speaking with Shane, not her father,” Bethany chided. “You are not her private detective. Hand the call off to someone who is on duty tonight and let’s enjoy the party.”

  “I can’t do that, Bethany. Leni has never asked for my help in the thirty-two years we known each other. For her to do so now, is significant enough for me to be concerned.”

  “Shane, we have big plans for later tonight remember,” Bethany cooed. “Robbie is with his grandparents tonight and I have the house all to myself.”

  “Plans are changed for right now,” Shane was firm. “Let’s go so I can get you home.”

  “No, Shane. I am not leaving and if you leave you now it is over between us for good,” Bethany warned.

  “Bethany be reasonable. Things like this come up all the time when you date a cop.”

  “Shane, you need to choose between staying with me or taking off on a wild goose chase for Lenore Collins.” Bethany eyes shot sparks at Shane. “I will not compete with that woman again.”

  “What are you talking about? When did you ever compete with Lenore Collins?” Shane wanted to get out of here, but this he had to hear.

  “You remember that dance at senior prom?” Not giving him a chance to answer, she rushed in to her rant. “Well, she flirted outrageously with you, and I saw how you looked at her. You loved every minute of it and could not take your eyes off her the rest of the night, Shane Travers. You were different when we were together ever since that night, I knew you were thinking about her.”

  “Good grief, Bethany,” Shane laughed in disbelief. “That was fourteen years ago. Collins and I have always been friends, nothing more.”

  “Just like the new bride and groom?” Bethan was livid; the sparks in her eyes and the hiss as she speaks always did make Shane weary. “Maybe, that is why you rush to help your old friend? Is that it, Shane? You want to be the big detective this time so you can rescue and marry your best friend. Believe me, I don’t think Lenore Collins is going to inherit a small fortune like Paige Nelson.”

  “Bethany, you are just being mean and vindictive, now. Seth and Paige were together before her aunt’s death. There is no bigger turnoff to me than a malicious woman spreading rumors. Here is money for a cab, Bethany. I need to go. I’ll call you later.” Shane turned to leave and bumped into the new mayor.

  “Is there a problem here, Detective?” Brad Andrews inquired. “Ms. Allan seems to be distressed.”

  “Duty calls, Mr. Mayor, unfortunately not always have the most opportune moments.”

  “Can I help in any way?”

  Shane looked at Bethany, her mouth set in a hard line. “Ms. Allan wishes to remain here. I have given her cab fare home. Would you mind seeing to it that the lady gets home safely?”

  “By all means.” Brad Andrews eyed the lovely Bethany Allan. “It would be a shame for her to miss the festivities this evening. Do you mind if I stand in for Detective Travers, Ms. Allan?”

  Bethany smiled sweetly at the mayor. “Of course, Mayor Andrews. I will be delighted.” As handsome and sexy as Shane Travers is, any woman would be a fool to turn down such an offer from the new mayor. Brad Andrews might not be as attractive as Detective Travers, but he is far wealthier. This night may not end up as a disaster. Besides, Shane will come begging for forgiveness in a few days. He always did. Without so much as another glance in Shane Travers’ direction, Bethany placed her hand on Brad Andrews’ proffered arm.

  Shane let out an exasperated sigh. His night would be long, but it would not be in Bethany’s bed and Shane knew it was just as well. Shane wanted to settle down, but not until he was sure it was forever. Bethany knew how to please a man in bed, but Shane wants his future wife to be his partner in all things not just in bed. He wants someone to share life’s difficulties and pleasures, to hang in with him in the good times and tough times. Someone not afraid to disagree with him, but not determined to always be right and get her way. A woman to stimulate him both intellectually and physically. He was not sure Bethany fit enough of his criteria. Bethany Allan did not understand his work and talked mostly about what concerns her: real estate and fashion. When they first hooked up two months ago, fond memories of his high school sweetheart were all Shane recalled. Tonight, brought out the Bethany he broke off with years ago, a possessive, pouting and manipulative person. Turns out she could also turn out to be downright malicious. His feelings toward Bethany were ambivalent currently.

  Thankfully, at Bethany’s hints of a long night, he had packed a change of clothes in a duffle bag Retrieving the duffle bag from the truck, Shane made a quick change in the bathroom at the reception hall. He then called dispatch and asked that a K-9 unit meet him at the old Twin Maples place to check on a senior citizen who has not yet returned home. Did Detective Travers want to issue a Golden Alert? Yes. S
hane gave dispatch his father’s number as contact number for information about Professor Collins. Shane called his father forewarning him of an upcoming visit from a uniformed officer.

  “Hey Dad, Leni Collins just called.”

  “I spoke with Lenore, Shane. She is worried about her father. I am too now.”

  “When did you last see or talk with Professor?”

  “Last night, son. Jim had dinner with your Mom and me. He was excited about his trip to the old plantation today. Not that he expected to discover anything new about the legend, but James is always about the ambience of a place. Makes him more creative, he says.”

  “Professor Collins had permission from the owner, Lenore told me, and he had keys to get on the property and in the house.”

  “That’s right.”

  “Professor is going to be really pissed at me if he is okay. Leni is so upset and sure something is wrong, I issued a Golden Alert.” Shane informed his father.

  “That is the best thing Shane. It is not like Jim to miss a call date with Lenore,” Bill Travers commented. “I went over to his house. The lights are off, and doors all locked; his car is not in the drive. I found the spare key and checked out the inside of the house. Jim is not there. Like Lenore, I have tried calling his cell many times. No answer.”

  “Ok, Dad. An officer will be over to the house soon to get some info on the professor and his car. I am heading out to Twin Maples now. Can you go next door and get one of the Professor’s caps and meet me at the curb with it? I requested a K-9 unit meet at the manor. We might need that cap.”